Hodgkinson urges direct contact with Commission

Member for Cootamundra Katrina Hodgkinson says contact Boundaries Commission, not her office, over council amalgamations.

Member for Cootamundra Katrina Hodgkinson addressing attendees at the Cootamundra Public Inquiry.

As State Member for Cootamundra, Katrina Hodgkinson, continues to attract criticism from some corners for not doing enough to publicly support the wishes of councils over the amalgamation process, she is urging community members to have a say to the Boundaries Commission.

In a press release issued this week, Ms Hodgkinson said some councils have advertised that people should send emails and letters to her office about their views on local government amalgamations.

“I will be forwarding these to the Boundary Commission to make sure individual views are noted,” Ms Hodgkinson said.

She encouraged people to send submissions about local government reform and Fit for the Future direct to the appropriate authority.

Ms Hodgkinson was slammed by a sector of residents at a public meeting in Harden this month where the community lodged a vote of ‘No Confidence’ in the state member.

Harden Shire Council is of the view they would like to amalgamate with Cootamundra, rather than Young and Boorowa and are presently putting together a case to take to the government.

Meanwhile, Gundagai Shire Council is furious they have been told to merge with Cootamundra and have asked Ms Hodgkinson to do more to support their bid to stand alone.

A similar ‘No Confidence’ motion was put to a public meeting in Gundagai recently as the community became increasingly frustrated.

Cool heads prevailed as the room agreed to leave the motion on the table.

Since then, the process of Public Inquiries with the Boundaries Commission delegates has begun and Ms Hodgkinson has been present and addressed audiences at Cootamundra, Harden and Gundagai.

“Last month was an important period for councils to consult broadly with their ratepayers,” she said.